Published 6:30 am, Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Humber, who pitched a complete game in the 2003 College World Series championship game, will get a $3 million signing bonus, a club record for a draft pick. The total value of the contract is $4.2 million guaranteed.

Humber, who earned All-America honors in each of his three years with the Owls, will fly today to the Mets' spring training compound in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and work out at a mini-camp. He will report next month to spring training.

"It's definitely a load off," said Humber, who ranks third on the Rice career list with 35 wins and second in strikeouts with 422. "It's been going on for too long, and now it's out of the way and I can focus on playing baseball."

Humber hasn't been told at what level in the minor leagues he will begin the season.

"I'm not starting in the major leagues, and that's the only thing that's definite, unless three or four pitchers get hurt. But their staff is pretty set," Humber said. "I would expect to be in high Class A, but we'll see how I look in spring training."

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Even though he hasn't pitched in a game since Rice's season ended in May, Humber has continued to get his work in and maintains he's in good shape.

"Any time you go that long without getting out on the field without playing it's going to take a little bit to get that back," Humber said. "As far as being in shape, I'm in the best shape of my life.

"All I have to do now is get out on the mound."

Two other Rice pitchers who were selected in first round round — Jeff Niemann and Wade Townsend — have yet to sign. Niemann was the No. 4 overall pick, taken by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Townsend was the No. 8 pick, selected by the Baltimore Orioles.

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Townsend has enrolled in classes at Rice, effectively ending his negotiations with the Orioles. He likely will have to re-enter this year's draft.